Democratic Republic of Congo transport minister fired

The transport minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been fired for failing to prevent a string of fatal boat accidents.



A government spokesman said Marie-Laure Kawanda has failed to ensure that regulations related to navigation are respected.



In the latest incident, about 100 people were reported missing after a boat sank on the Kasai river on Monday.



Information Minister Lambert Mende says Ms Kawanda should have introduced rules to prevent boats travelling at night and to stop cargo boats from carrying passengers in an effort to ensure safety.



The boat in the latest incident was not registered to carry passengers but was reportedly carrying 300 people when it sank overnight on Sunday.



Another boat capsized in the same river last year, leaving up to 200 people dead.